Cash's Fight

by Jamie Begley

  “Jace told you?”

  “Of course. He may want a motorcycle, but he’s our blood. Blood always comes first; you should have known better.”

  “If you knew, then why did you come?” Cash stiffened in his seat. This could go really badly. He didn’t want to have to hurt any of the assholes to protect himself, but he sure as fuck couldn’t be with Rachel if he was six-feet under.

  “Relax, Cash.” Dustin laughed, going to the refrigerator to get more beers, which he set on the table with a thump. Everyone reached out for a beer, the sound of the tops popping starting the negotiations.

  “We’ve all come up with certain concessions before we give you our vote of approval to court Rachel,” Tate said, laying down his cards, literally and figuratively.

  This didn’t sound good, but he was willing to see how far the bastards expected him to cave for Rachel.

  “It’s just five simple rules. You should be able to live with them with no problems.”

  “It depends on just what the five rules are, now, doesn’t it?” Cash said. Nothing was ever simple with the Porters.

  “Yes, it does. Rule number one: no fucking around on Rachel. That means no women in town or those women you got stashed at that clubhouse of yours,” Tate began their demands.

  “Rule number two: you can’t lay a hand on her when you’re mad. She can get a man’s temper riled, but you’re not allowed to ever hurt my sister.

  “Rule number three: she gets to keep working with her plants and clients. They’re a pain in the ass—you can’t go to the fucking bathroom without having something disgusting growing on the shelf—but they’re important to her.

  “Rule number four: you have to start going to church with her. We watched our parents fight about that for years. Rachel wants a man who will sit next to her in church on Christmas Eve.” Tate’s voice was much too chirpy when he voiced this rule. Everyone in town knew Cash’s feelings on attending church.

  “Rule five, and it’s the most important to us: if you have kids, you have to let us be involved in their lives. I don’t give a fuck how much you hate us, but you won’t show our nieces or nephews that you do. We keep this personal bullshit between us. Deal?”

  Cash didn’t hesitate. “Deal, but this doesn’t mean we have to become best friends, does it?”

  “God, no,” Greer shuddered.

  “I have a demand of my own. When Rachel and I get in a fight, you keep your noses out of it.”

  Dustin looked at his brothers. “Agreed.”

  “Unless you break any of our rules,” Greer clarified.

  “I can live with that,” Cash agreed. “So, you already knew you were going to agree to me seeing Rachel before we started this morning?” He narrowed his eyes on their unrepentant expressions.

  “Yep. We decided we were going to have some fun making you squirm, though. I don’t know which I enjoyed the most: you scaring off those foxes or throwing away that big-ass fish you caught.” Tate grinned.

  “I do. Him letting me call him a bitch.” Greer slapped Cash on the shoulder, almost knocking his beer out of his hand.

  “Jace, it’s bedtime. Cash, you got anything harder than beer?” Tate asked, picking the cards up again.

  “Yes.”

  “Then bring it out. Let’s play a few more hands, and this time, you can play like a man instead of a pussy.”

  Cash looked around the table at the Porters. It was going to be a long night.

  Chapter 22

  Rachel parked her car in front of Mag’s house. She had gone to the store after church to pick up a few things they needed. She was struggling to carry the three bags of groceries and the beer that Cash and Mag liked when Cash’s truck pulled into the driveway. She had the beer juggled on her hip as she tried to open the front door.

  As Cash opened his truck door and got out, she was shocked at his exhausted appearance; even with the sunglasses on, he looked like shit. His jeans and t-shirt were rumpled, his long hair was tousled, and his face was white as a sheet.

  “Need some help?” Cash’s jovial voice set her temper off.

  “Yes, you can carry your own beer. From now own, you can get it your own self, too. It doesn’t seem like you have any trouble getting liquor.”

  Cash reached out, taking the beer with one hand before opening the door with the other. “Mag home?”

  “No, she’s next door.” Rachel nodded to where Mag was sitting on her neighbor’s porch, talking.

  Rachel went in the house, packing the grocery bags and setting them down on the counter.

  “I bought them, so you can put them up,” she snapped. “I’m going to get changed.” She turned around after setting the groceries down and barreled into Cash’s chest. She’d thought he had moved away after setting down the beer.

  “Careful, Rachel,” Cash warned. “I’m not in the best mood. I just spent yesterday with your brothers and Jace, and I spent the night at my cabin with them trying to give me alcohol poisoning with that moonshine they’ve been making.”

  “You went hunting and drinking with my brothers?” she asked, stunned.

  “Yes,” Cash gritted out, his head about to explode.

  “Are they still alive?”

  Cash bit back his laughter at the worry in her voice. “For now. I’m not making any promises, though. It depends on if I have to go to the hospital to get my stomach pumped.”

  “Why would you…?”

  “You know why.” Cash glared at her, lifting his sunglasses to his head.

  At his look, Rachel took a step toward her bedroom. Cash leaned a hand out, bracing it on the wall, and blocked her escape.

  “N-No.”

  “Because I happen to have their approval for us to date.”

  Rachel shook her head. “No way. They wouldn’t—”

  “They did. Call them if you don’t believe me.”

  Rachel didn’t have to; she saw the truth on his face. “That doesn’t mean shit. I’m not going to go out with you.”

  “You going back on your word?”

  Rachel’s eyes widened in shock. “I was freaking mouthing off. You know that!”

  “Well, your mouth is going to be plenty busy Friday night. You’ve got a week to get used to the idea, or I’ll spread it all over town that a Porter’s word isn’t worth shit.”

  “You better go on to the hospital because obviously my brothers’ moonshine has done some brain damage.”

  Cash dropped his hand, letting her pass. “Friday, Rachel.”

  She pushed past him, going to her bedroom and slamming the door shut. Pacing angrily around the small room, she was so mad she was tempted to throw something. Instead, she jerked her phone out of her pocket, pushing down on the familiar number.

  “Hello?” Tate’s cautious voice answered his phone.

  “What the hell, Tate?” Furiously, she laid into him.

  “Rach—”

  “How could you?” she stormed, ignoring his interruption.

  “Rach—”

  “I can’t believe my brothers stabbed me in the back!”

  “Rach—”

  “You called me every name in the book when you found out I slept with him!” she screamed into the phone.

  “Rachel!”

  She went quiet, recognizing that tone of voice from her childhood.

  “Listen to me for a minute. You’ve been mooning over him since you were a kid. You’re the one who slept with him and ran away when you couldn’t stand seeing him with other women.”

  “I left town because you all humiliated me.”

  “Rachel, we’ve embarrassed you your whole life; that was nothing new. You ran because you didn’t know how to deal. You still don’t.”

  “I don’t want to go out with him,” Rachel said stubbornly.

  Tate’s voice softened. “Then don’t. We gave him our permission to date you. You do have the option to say no. The choice is still yours.”

  Rachel went silent. She was conflicted; she
couldn’t have her heart broken by Cash anymore.

  “Sister, ask him about the rules.”

  “What rules?”

  “The rules he promised to keep if you started seeing each other. He agreed. He didn’t even put up a fuss. Have I ever not looked out for you?” he reasoned.

  She remained silent.

  “Rachel?”

  “The night of the party… you really hurt me, Tate.”

  “I know.” He didn’t apologize, but his voice was filled with remorse. “Give him another chance, Rachel. Give both of us another chance.”

  Rachel sighed. “Okay.”

  “That’s the sister I know and love.” He teased a smile out of her before she disconnected the call.

  Changing out of her church clothes, she put on her jeans and t-shirt. As she braided her hair back, she felt much calmer than she had before entering the room. Pulling out her computer, she backed up her notes on her plants. She was very meticulous on keeping up-to-date with the progress of the seedlings.

  Afterward, she cooked dinner. Cash didn’t emerge from his room for the rest of the night. Aware of how strong her brothers’ hooch was, she would be amazed if he was able to get out of bed for a couple of days.

  Her brothers might have given their approval, but they had made him pay for it.

  * * *

  “What are you doing?” Rachel came up behind Lily, seeing her trying to slide a chair to the corner.

  “I was just trying to make some more room,” Lily explained.

  “Shade would be furious if he saw you doing that.”

  “Then it’s a good thing he’s not here, isn’t it? You’re not a tattletale, are you?” Lily wrinkled her nose at her.

  “Let me catch you moving any more of this heavy furniture, and I’ll call him,” Rachel threatened.

  “Okay, okay, you win. I just feel silly asking you to do things that I’m perfectly capable of doing myself.”

  “I don’t mind.” Rachel slid the rest of the furniture closer to the wall.

  “Lily?” They both jumped when they heard Brooke’s voice behind them.

  “Hi, Brooke. What can I help you with?” Lily asked politely.

  Rachel walked to the side, moving a headboard casually while listening to their conversation as she worked.

  “I’m doing a church Bible group tomorrow, and Willa has several of the texts that we use. Would it be possible for you to pick them up on your way home? The pastor and I are having a dinner tonight with several of the deacons. If you can’t, I suppose…”

  “No problem. I don’t mind at all. I’ll enjoy visiting Willa.” Lily smiled.

  Willa will be relieved, Rachel thought. The woman would be a nervous wreck waiting for Brooke to arrive.

  “Fine, then. That’s a relief. I was nervous about leaving my roast in the oven when I ran out.” Brooke gave them both a practiced smile. “I’m afraid cooking is not where my talents lie.”

  “I’m sure you’re an excellent cook,” Lily complimented.

  Rachel turned her back so Brooke couldn’t read her expression.

  “Thank you, Lily. I better get back to my dinner. I’m making a cobbler for dessert. I’ve never made one before, but it’s Merrick’s favorite, so I thought I would give it a try.”

  “I’m sure it will be delicious. I’ll drop the texts off in Pastor Merrick’s office in the morning.”

  “Thanks, again. Goodnight, Lily, Rachel.”

  The girls both told her goodbye, watching her leave in her expensive dress and high heels.

  “You just saved Willa’s ass,” Rachel told her, coming to stand next to her.

  “I know. I knew Willa would prefer me picking the books up. I’m supposed to meet Beth after work to go shopping, though. I’ll have to call her and tell her I’ll be late.”

  “I could do it for you. I’m not doing anything. You could even leave early if you want,” Rachel offered.

  “I may take you up on that. Beth will be waiting with the twins.”

  “It all works out perfect, then.”

  * * *

  Three hours later, Rachel closed the church store. Her car was steaming hot, so she took off the lightweight jacket she had put over her dress. The church and the store always remained uncomfortably cool since Merrick had taken over. The mornings were the worst when she opened the store, the frigid air hitting her as she entered. She had mentioned it hesitatingly to the pastor, and he had told her he kept the air on the same setting as always, but he’d agreed it was cold also. He had promised to get Brooke to call the repairman, but that had been over a week ago. Rachel promised herself, if it wasn’t repaired soon, she would call the repairman on her own.

  She made a left onto Willa’s street and saw Lewis’s car. When she had called earlier to tell her she was stopping by, she hadn’t mentioned Lewis would be there. Looking at her watch, she realized he must have just gotten off work.

  Rachel parked her car next to his vehicle, careful not to block him in. Willa would probably thank her for stopping by and getting rid of the overbearing man.

  As she drew closer to the door, she heard a scream from inside. Not bothering to knock, she flung the door open. Rachel let out a scream of her own when she saw Lewis had his belt off and was whipping Willa with it. Fury soared through her.

  She ran toward him as he lifted the belt to strike Willa again, and without thinking, she pushed him away from Willa.

  “Don’t you dare touch her again!” she screamed at him.

  Lewis stared angrily at Rachel. “Get the fuck out!” He came toward her with the belt raised and Rachel froze. She wasn’t going to let him scare her.

  “Willa, get up and go call Knox now.”

  When Lewis swung back toward Willa, Rachel’s words stopped him cold. “If you lay another hand on her or me, my brothers will kill you. I’m going to be real fair to you, Lewis, and tell you that you have three days to get out of town before I tell my brothers what happened here.”

  “I’m not afraid of your fucked-up brothers,” Lewis snarled.

  “Then it’s your life to kiss goodbye. Because I’m telling you, when Greer hears what you were doing in here, he’s going to kill you for thinking you could raise a belt to me and get away with it.”

  Willa tried to shuffle to the side, but Lewis bent down and jerked her to her feet by her blond hair.

  “You stupid cunt. Go sit down on the couch until I’m ready to deal with you.”

  “Stop it, Lewis. Rachel can leave, and we can sit down and talk.”

  Lewis’s hand flung out, backhanding Willa across the cheek, knocking her down to the floor. His foot then kicked her sharply in the stomach.

  “You fat-ass bitch! I don’t know why I want you anyway,” he snarled.

  Rachel lost control of her temper.

  “You son of a bitch.” She flung herself at him when he drew his foot back to kick Willa again. Rachel pummeled him with her fists wherever she could strike. When he tried to grab her hands, she raked her nails down his face before he could get a tight grip. Her legs kicked at him, desperately trying to nail him in his groin.

  However, as his fist came out, striking her in the stomach, her breath left her in a rush as she fell to her knees. She tried to gasp for breath but couldn’t get it back. Lewis’s hand struck her cheek, knocking her to the floor. Before she could get her breath back, he was on top of her. His face was filled with fury, all control lost.

  His hands went to her throat, tightening into a grip that took what little oxygen she had left. Black dots filled her vision as his triumphant face loomed over her.

  A sudden, loud pop had Lewis falling to the side, blood gushing from his chest.

  It took several seconds before Rachel could get her breath back enough to rise up on her elbow.

  Willa was standing in her kitchen doorway, holding a gun in her hand. Rachel turned her head to the side, seeing Lewis’s blank stare at the ceiling.

  Rachel heard Willa’s frightened wh
imper and forced herself to sit the rest of the way up. Managing to get to her knees, she crawled toward Willa, who had blood coming out of her nose and a swollen cheek.

  “Willa, it’s okay.” Rachel gingerly reached out to take the weapon from her, placing it carefully on the floor next to her.

  “I killed him.” Her horrified whisper broke Rachel’s heart.

  “If you hadn’t, he would have killed me,” Rachel soothed her. “What set him off?”

  “I don’t know. He came banging on my door. I had forgotten to lock it after my last delivery, and he came in before I could stop him. He was in a rage when he got here.”

  Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she began trembling. Rachel knew shock was setting in.

  “Where’s your phone? I’ll call Knox.”

  Willa looked wildly around before managing to point to her purse. Rachel got to her feet, feeling every sore muscle in her body. Opening Willa’s purse, she called the Sheriff’s office, explaining what had happened. She disconnected the call when the dispatcher said Knox was in route.

  Rachel went back to Willa, sitting down next to her on the floor, placing her arm around her trembling shoulders.

  “I’m going to burn in Hell for killing a man.” Willa covered her hands with her face.

  “The only one who’s going to Hell is Lewis.”

  Chapter 23

  Rachel sat in Knox’s office as he questioned Willa in the interrogation room. She hoped he didn’t traumatize the woman any further than she was.

  She looked up expectantly when the door opened to see Cash come in.

  “You all right?” His concerned gaze had her nodding. Somehow, she couldn’t bring herself to be upset that Lewis was dead.

  Her brothers came in the door behind him. Unlike Cash, they were furious.

  “It’s a good thing he’s dead—”

  “Greer, calm down. It’s all over, and I’m not hurt. The best thing is that he’s not going to hurt Willa anymore.”

  Tate pulled her out of the chair and into his arms. “I’m happy that you were there for Willa, but I lost ten years off my life when Knox called and told me what happened.”

  “I’m fine, Tate.” She circled his waist.